Spreading Cotoneaster is an upright, rounded, densely branched, deciduous shrub reaching 5-6 feet tall by 6-8 feet wide that is named for its spreading habit. It is easy to grow in well-drained soils. It grows best in loam based soils, however, will adapt to other soil types. It tolerates poor soils and drought once established. Pruning to remove old wood will also encourage its arching branching. Provide a layer of mulch to discourage weeds. Young plants can have a upright columnar habit, but will quickly take on a more horizontal, spreading habit. The outer stems are unbranched for 1' to 3', horizontal to slightly descending. Each flower in itself isn't much to look at, but the profuse number of flowers makes up for their tiny size. The flowers can be hidden by the foliage. After blooming in the spring, the flowers give way to red berries which persist into the winter. The leaves have attractive fall color. Use as a hedge, border, foundation planting or on a slope. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although no serious disease or insect issue exist, it has some susceptibility to lace bug, fireblight, leaf spot, canker and cotoneaster web worm. In dry, hot conditions, mites can be a problem
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
1 inch long oval glossy green leaves have a nice orange to red fall color. The margins a flat and not rolled on this shrub. 3-4 pairs of veins appear on the leaves. Underside is a lighter color.
Fall color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Abundant clusters of 1/4 inch 5 petaled white to pink-tinged flowers in May- June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Long-lasting; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fleshy, egg-shaped, 1/4-1/2 inch long oval bright red fruits mature in the fall and persist to the onset of winter. Each contain 1 to 3 nutlets.
Bark detail
The bark is thin and smooth
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Red-purple multi-stems are pubescence on the tips and have a waxy coating that flakes off with age further down the stems. Buds are small.